Dear Tories,
It’s my absolute pleasure to usher this publication into another decade. Throughout the past thirty-five years, Princeton students have decided over and over again to invest countless hours into the Tory. The collective willpower of these Princetonians has kept this magazine going longer than anyone could have imagined. The Tory has even been transformed into a mainstay of Princeton’s conservative scene and I am proud to have played a role in this.
As I write this note now, the feeling is rather bittersweet. This is the last issue of my term as Publisher. However, I pass on a revitalized publication to the next managing board. Our look is crisper, our reach is extended, and our content is diversified. I look forward to seeing how the next board will build upon this.
All of the pieces in this issue are united in form. They are all defenses of some aspect of conservatism and they are all defiant of campus orthodoxy. Our writers have consistently proven that they have the courage of their convictions. They aren’t governed by fear of backlash and they refuse to engage in self-censorship. Let that be a lesson to us all.
Two of our graduating seniors argue for constancy amid political turmoil. The ever-insightful Jacob Brown starts off the issue by asserting that the survival of liberal democracy depends upon the continuing existence of center-right parties. Later on, Daniel Schwarzhoff explains that efforts to jettison the Electoral College are wrongheaded — by preventing a popularity contest, the Electoral College works exactly as it should. Freshman staff writer Allyssa Noone examines how national controversies trickle down to our campus. According to her, the ongoing fight over Woodrow Wilson’s legacy continues to be a rush to judgment. Both nuance and moderation are called for.
Our news team continues to carve out a place for itself on campus. In this issue, Christopher Kane travels to Washington D.C. and covers the most recent Supreme Court trip sponsored by the James Madison Program. Complement this piece with Akhil Rajasekar’s Lawsplainer column, in which Akhil returns to Chief Justice John Marshall and examines his account of “the judicial power of the United States.” Additionally, Bianca Ortiz-Miskimen interviews author of The Diversity Delusion Heather Mac Donald about the state of American universities.
Proving that conservatism is most concerned with the individual and the family, three of the pieces included here are lifestyle and relationship related. In a guest contribution, Sarah Hirschfield polemicizes against pornography, arguing that it is partly to blame for the #MeToo problem. Hunter Campbell, also a guest contributor, sheds light on state efforts to promote free-range parenting — efforts which prevent unnecessary governmental infringements on families. The Anscombe team ends the issue by assessing the conceptual utility of “virginity.” They argue that “chastity” is a better alternative.
We live at a time when the left is exercising immense cultural power and the situation is no different at Princeton. It often feels as though those who dissent face an insurmountable wave. If you’re to take one thing from this issue, let it be this: refuse to let others intimidate you into silence. Take courage and defend your most cherished views. Take courage and defend the truth!
Sincerely,
Jeff Zymeri ’20
Publisher
The Princeton Tory
Graphic design by Grace Koh ’20.
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